Children and their families were treated to a petting zoo, live entertainment, activities, games, hospital tours and a movie under the stars.

"This was a great opportunity to have the community be a part of the celebration," said Sharon Kaplan, the hospital's assistant administrator.

Laura Pita, whose son Josh was diagnosed with acute lymphoblastic leukemia, said the hospital has played a pivotal role in his recovery. She was happy to help them celebrate this milestone.

"This is 20 years of giving the community exceptional care," she said.

The hospital, part of Memorial Healthcare System, last year opened a freestanding facility.

The four-story, 180,000-square-foot building, which showcases a different theme on each floor, has six pediatric operating rooms and 204 licensed beds.

"We have grown in depth and in the additional services that we provide," Kaplan said. "We have really expanded to be a full-service, comprehensive children's hospital, and we are focused on the healing process for the children and their families."

Dawn George, a volunteer on the facility's planning committee, has witnessed firsthand how much the hospital has grown over the years. George joked that her son C.J. was diagnosed with cancer two years too soon.

"It's ironic because he was diagnosed when they held its groundbreaking, and they opened their doors right when he finished treatment," she said. "As a parent, I cannot explain how much emotional investment it takes to keep your kid calm. This new building is an amazing place, and this would have cut my job in half."

Pita said the hospital will always have a special place in her life.

"They take the time to get to know you, and they take the time to treat each patient differently," she said.

"This is a place where kids get to be kids," Kaplan said. "We continuously embrace parents and their input, and we are constantly working on our commitment to the community."